TAMPA, Fla. — One of the biggest races in Florida for the 2024 General Election is the one for the U.S. Senate.
Incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott is seeking his first reelection since taking office in 2019. Democrat and former U.S. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is looking to unseat Scott.
Scott narrowly defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, current NASA administrator, in the 2018 election.
Here's a look at the two major candidates running for U.S. Senate in Florida.
Sen. Rick Scott (R)
Before getting into politics in 2010, Sen. Rick Scott, 71, was the CEO of the world's largest healthcare company, now known as HCA Healthcare, before becoming a venture capitalist.
He successfully ran for governor of Florida in 2010 and was reelected in 2014. In 2018, he narrowly defeated incumbent Bill Nelson to become Florida's junior U.S. Senator.
According to Scott's campaign website, while he was governor "he worked every day to make Florida the best place to get a job, raise a family, and build a business."
As a U.S. Senator, Scott has reportedly worked to stop "reckless government spending" and "devastating inflation," protect Social Security and Medicare, "hold government accountable," "combat the extreme danger posed by Communist China," secure the U.S. border and curb the "flow of drugs, terrorism and illegal immigration" into the county, and "refocus our military on lethal defense instead of woke nonsense."
Scott has been married to his high school sweetheart Ann since they were 19. Together they have two daughters and seven grandchildren.
For more information about Sen. Rick Scott, his campaign and platform, click or tap here.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D)
Before running for U.S. Senate, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 53, served as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 26th Congressional district. She was elected in 2018 but lost her re-election bid in 2020.
Prior to her political career, she was a faculty member at Florida International University's Colleges of Health and Medicine.
Mucarsel-Powell immigrated at a young age to the U.S. from Ecuador, according to her campaign website.
Issues Mucarsel-Powell has highlighted as part of her campaign include reducing inflation, protecting Social Security and Medicare, lowering health care costs, protecting clean water and the environment, community and child safety, a focus on national security and protecting women's rights to healthcare and abortion.
For more information Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, her campaign and platform, click or tap here.
